This article is brought to you by Midas Swellendam and is dedicated to the ladies, like me, who has no idea what should be in the car in case of an emergency. Here is a list of the top 10 Must Have Breakdown & Emergency Products for Your Car.
Warning Triangle
A warning triangle is a small red triangle, usually made of plastic and metal that has a highly reflective surface, they are designed to alert other drivers that there is a potential hazard approaching and to proceed with caution.
At what distance should the warning triangle be?
The warning triangle should be placed on the road at least 45 meters (147 feet, if like me you have no idea how far that is, without a tape measure) behind your broken-down vehicle on the same side of the road. Remember to please use great care when placing or retrieving them, as you may not be visible to oncoming traffic.
Car Jack
A car jack is a mechanical lifting device used to apply great forces or lift heavy loads, they come in many shapes and sizes to lift small cars, heavier large cars, trucks and SUVs. The mechanical jack employs a screw thread for lifting heavy equipment while the hydraulic jack uses hydraulic power.The most common car jack, that most of us know, is the floor jack or garage jack, which lifts vehicles so that maintenance can be performed.
When you purchase a car jack, always make sure you get one with the proper weight capacity to lift your vehicle safely.
Jumper Cables
Jumper cables are a pair of thick electric cables fitted with clips at either end, used for starting a vehicle by connecting its dead battery to the battery of another vehicle. Now I know what you are thinking, but this is not as simple as it seems, like most things in life this operation requires a certain technique. Please read this next part carefully, or you could blow something up, like your engine!
How to jump-start a car step by step
Clamp the Red positive cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery. Make sure the other end doesn’t touch any part of the car’s engine or body or you could get a dangerous spark.
Clamp the other end of the Red positive cable to the positive terminal of the good battery. Clamp the black negative cable to the negative terminal of the good battery.
Clamp the other end of the negative cable to a clean metal part of the engine in the car with the dead battery. Keep the clamp away from the battery, any moving parts and the fuel system.
You can now start the car with the good battery, and let it charge the dead battery for a few minutes, then try to start the car with the weak battery.
WARNING! DO NOT attach the negative cable to the negative terminal of the dead battery when jumping a car battery! This could ignite hydrogen gas directly over the battery, battery explosions can cause serious injury.
Fuses – Assortment
Automotive fuses are extensively used in cars, trucks, buses and off-road transportation. They are designed to protect the cables, wires and electrical components of the vehicle that supply power to crucial electrical systems such as lights, heaters, air conditioning, radios, power windows and more within your vehicle. Types of fuses used in your vehicle will differ based on the manufacturer and model of car you own, so in order to identify the type of fuse your vehicle uses, you will need to inspect the fuse box located in the vehicle. Or, ask your mechanic😉
Fire Extinguisher
Keeping a fire extinguisher in your car can help prevent a small fire from becoming unmanageable. The best type of car fire extinguisher uses dry powder.
Car fire extinguishers contain fire-fighting media that is effective against the most common car fires fueled by petrol (class B) and gas (class C).
Flashlight / Headlight
This item is self-explanatory, a good flashlight is useful in any situation, so get one if you do not have one.
Never leave your flashlight under the seat in your car, or in direct sunlight, high temperatures could accelerate defects in your flashlight, including possible battery leakage.
Air Compressor 12V
A 12-volt air compressor is the way to go, it can basically be used for anything that needs compressed air.
If you want to use it in a remote location, just hook it up to your car’s battery and you have compressed air whenever you like.
Flat Tyre Kit
Midas Swellendam has a large variety of products to choose from, buy a complete kit or mix and match items you need to replace.
How long will a plug and patch last?
Although tire patches can last a long time (8 years approximately), a tire should never be patched more than once. This could negatively affect the speed rating and potentially cause blowouts.
Basic First Aid Kit
Because you never know when you are going to accidently slam your child’s fingers in the car door, yes, another real-life situation!
These small basic first aid kits are an essential item and even if you are lucky enough never to need one, you might come across an accident or a motorist who has been injured, yay you!
Water
Good old H20, you cannot live without it and neither can your car! Keep a 5L stashed in your boot for cases of emergency, when the radiator gets a bit hot or to clean your hands after fixing something else alongside the road that broke.
I do not recommend that you use this water for drinking, as plastic in high temperatures can poison the water and make you very ill.
The 10 Must Have Breakdown & Emergency Products for Your Car, are available from your local Midas Swellendam and can be kept in a convenient carry bag in the boot of your car, for safekeeping.
Midas Swellendam, for all your automotive parts, trailer, and wheel accessories, and if they do not have it, they will source it for you. Please follow us on social media to stay up to date with our latest sizzling specials and promotional offers.
